I Cannot Go Back

Our senior pastor, Dr. Larry Crawford, brought us our Sunday morning message: "I Cannot Go Back."

We stood for opening prayer and the reading of God's word taken from Judges 11.

Immediately, you cringe when you think of what Jephthah had to do. If you have not heard the story of Jephthah, you are about to hear one of the most unusual and tragic stories in your life.

1 "Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah. "

Jephthah was thrown out of his house and told "Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house for thou art the son of a strange woman.

4 "And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel."

The elders of Gilead chose Jephthah to be their captain and to fight the war against the Ammonites.

7 "And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me and expel me out of my father's house? And why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?"

The story continues and Jephthah made a vow with God.

30-31 "And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said if thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord's and I will offer it up for a burnt offering."

Can you imagine what he felt when he returned home and the first thing that walks out of his house is his only daughter?

Can you see how he must have paced the floor that night? Can you see how he looked across the table at her as his heart broke, as he thought, "Can I? I promised God to offer up the first thing."

Can you imagine the turmoil in his soul and the dilemma that he faced as he realized what keeping his promise to God meant, how he would have to take his own hands and take the life of his own flesh and blood -- his only child? Jephthah said in verse 35, "I have opened my mouth unto the Lord and I cannot go back!"

I am talking this morning to a new Christian. You live in a new world with a new Father, new siblings, new name, new destination and a new record. New words come from your lips. New thoughts invade your mind. New desires fill your heart. New paths you now travel. You are a new Christian; you have been born again. But let me remind you that the devil is not finished with you yet.

He will try and get you to go back. Back to the old ways of living, the old way of talking, the old way of thinking, the old desires, back to the bottle, back to tobacco, back to taverns, back to the wickedness, back to sin. Plus, back to missing church.

No, the devil is not through with you yet. You're on his hit list now, but may I encourage you to say in your heart this morning with Jephthah, "I cannot go back! I shall not, will not, could not!"

I am talking to Christians, saved people who came to visit this church. You have heard the singing. You have heard the specials. You have heard the preaching. You felt the warmth. You tingled with excitement. You walked the aisle and said, "I want to join this church; I want to be a member, a part of this church" It's old hat now. You've heard the songs before and the specials aren't good. The preaching is getting dull. The same people, Sunday after Sunday; nothing new. The devil will begin to tap you on the shoulder and tempt you to stay home once in a while, skip Sunday school, begin to criticize, begin to disagree, begin to be led to be uncooperative.

Now, that is a life's verse for children, for young people, for adults. The worst testimony in the world is not those that occasionally fall; it's those who "used to be," those that turn back. This especially speaks to those who have said verbally, vocally, visually and silently. When Satan tempts you to go back, say with Jephthah, "I cannot go back!"

I am talking to some young people who will be tempted to go back to that old crowd of friends and talk like you used to talk, act like you used to act, chew what you used to chew, drink what you used to drink.

Have you ever said, "Lord, I'll do (fill in the blank)," or "Lord, if you'll save this person, I'll (fill in the blank)," or "Lord, if you provide this money for me...." Or how about when the lottery was very high, you said, "Lord, if..., I'll (fill in the blank).

When you make a vow, pay the vow! It's better to not make one than not pay it!

Well, it was in the heat of emotion or hastily that Jephthah made his vow to the Lord. Hebrews 10:38 says, "If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him!"

That is why I'll not promise. How many of you already stopped something you started this week? How many of you have already reneged on your promise? How many need to say, "God, this morning I dedicate myself not to go back"?

Jephthah said "I have opened my mouth unto the Lord and I cannot go back."

Remember the story of Abraham and Isaac? He gave His all for you. You gave your all to Him at Salvation.

In closing, Dr. Crawford had an altar call and plans to continue with this lesson the following week.

Have you read your Bible today? If not read, 1 Samuel 14.

Please come join us for church if you do not have a home church. We are considered one of the friendliest churches around. Sunday School starts at 9 a.m. and church service immediately follows at 10 a.m.

The Nursing Home Ministry meets at McDonald County Living Center in Anderson at 2:30 p.m. every other Saturday. Next meeting is Dec. 11, 2016.

Please check out our FBCP Teen Group Facebook Page.

We bring a covered dish and our Bibles for Friday Night Bible Study. Lead by Brother Bob Cole and Brother Steve Hartman, the next meeting is at 6:30:p.m. Dec. 9 in the church gym.

WMU is scheduled for noon Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Sister Pat Anders' house. There will be food and a presentation of Pastor's trips to Israel. Also please bring a gift that's $5 or less.

All Bible verses are from the KJV.

Remember you can hear a rebroadcast of one of Dr. Larry Crawford's services on KURM radio, 100.3 on FM dial, at 8:30 a.m. Sunday mornings. Or listen to our pastors' service on our website at http://www.firstbaptistchurchpineville.com/Sermons.html.